Café re-opens after ‘crazy’ rent hike caused closure
COUNCIL INCREASED IT BY 260% OVERNIGHT
A POPULAR canalside café which closed and where staff were made redundant – after a council hiked its rents up – re-opened last week.
The Canal Café, which sits beside Basingstoke Canal in Mytchett, had shut its doors in September and a sign appeared in the window which read: “Due to crazy rent increase, we have been forced to close”.
Mike Rippingale, a business partner at the café, claims Surrey County Council increased the rent by 260% overnight, which he could
“in no way” afford, as well as adding contributions to the car park and toilet cleaning.
He said the increased costs meant the end of his 14-year business and he had to make his staff redundant.
At the time he said: “It [the café] is part of us and it has been for 14 years – it’s part of us being ripped away. We are gutted to lose something we have put so much into.”
However, after county councillors got involved, a compromise was negotiated for the small seasonal business and it re-opened for trading on Friday.
Mr Rippingale, of Mytchett, said:
“No one’s happy with any increases, but what we’ve agreed means I can stay in business. I understand the council has a duty to get the best rent, but it wasn’t suitable for this site. We’re not the high street.
“I had to shut straight away because by continuing to trade I was accepting that rent.”
Scores of people took to the Next Door app to show their support for the business, with one woman from the village saying: “The café has been my happy place since Covid restrictions were lifted”.
A Frimley Green resident said she wrote to the county council: “The
Mytchett canal centre café has been a power for good during the pandemic. Fresh air seating, socialisation and a strong excuse for locals to get out and exercise. A plus for physical and mental wellbeing.”
A spokesman for the county council said: “We know how important it is to support small businesses as Surrey recovers from the Covid pandemic, and we are pleased that after further discussion and review Surrey County Council and the tenant were able to come to an agreement that worked for both parties.
“However, the council is obligated to maintain commercial confidentiality and cannot comment further on the details of individual cases.”
Mr Rippingale said following negotiations with the county council, he and his partner Leck Chongnugul will be able to trade solvently, though with “certain changes” including a revised menu and reducing opening to six days a week, closing on Mondays.
He said prices have had to go up because of rising costs generally.
He added most of his former staff had found other jobs but two remain, including the chef Guy Kaeomanee, and they have taken the opportunity to refurbish the kitchen.